The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1887-04-22
OUR LOST GIRLS.

a Mother Sadly Regrets That She ca
Not Have the Trainiag Of Her Daugh.
ter.
There has bee3 no mysterious disappear
ance, neither have they wandered from the
paths Of rectitude; they fit in and out oil
our homes, these bright, sweet, good girls,
but we have nearly lost them, and the
sense Of loss increases every day. Whea
they nestled in our arms, and we cared
for them so tenderiy during the years Of
helpless infancy, and delighted to watch
their development from babyhood into
young girlhood, we thought we could keep
them till that far-oh time when they should
leave home to seek educational advantages,
or enter upon the worlds work.
But, alas! just as our daughters are en-.
tering their teens, or before, we discover
that we have lost them. Where have
they Comet We rub our eyes. partly =
brush away the tears, and partly to con-
vince ourselves that we are not dreaming.
1t 10 fact that the average girl IS restless
unless she can visit or receive visits from
some young lady friend most Of the time.
The result 10 that the household tasks, il
she is % fortunate a. TO have any, a-e hur.
ried through with unseenly haste, 70 the
end that she may leave home - soon -
possible. The presence Of other girls during
these tasks only adds to the haste and caro-.
lessness Of their performance, leaving very
little opportunity for quiet attention .
home dutieA
Another said to me not long since: "Oh,
II could only have my daughter to myself
. part Of the timei have no opportunity
for quietly training her, or eultivsting hes
companionship."
Every judioous mother may Be able to do
for her daughters before they are ffteen
what can never be done for them after
that ago Sympathetic companionship;
little seeds Of counsel dropped wisely here
and there; knowledge Of what the girls
are thinking about and what they are In.
terestod in; . wise ignoring q some girl
lsh follies-ail these are needed, but can
not Be secured unless the girls spend con.
siderable time at homo. in the society Of
their own family circle. Oar homes should
not be simply boarding houses, whore the
children eat and sleep, but dwelling
places, where they arc to spend most Of
their time out Of school hourA
OF course, girls should b allowed =
snjoy much freedom Of outdoor Life, which
II essential 70 health - well a. happiness.
They should Be permitted 10 cultivate.
Witbinsuitable limits, friendships with each
other, that often deepen and broaden int
. lifelong blessing. Staying q homo, - .
rule, and visiting as IN exception will NOT
interfere with these social advsnta3ea,
The habit Of beng able to enjoy ones own
society occasionally il . valuable one; .
person who can not do thus will always
carry restless spirit, thereby losing that
quiet strength Of character which every
woman il sure to need IN the varied exn6.
riences that make up her life.
"What il . mother forf' was asked Of
one who shrznk little from the labor and
anxiety Of training half grown daughter.
Perhaps il all mothers would AK them.
selves this question, their mission and duty
would be more clearly defined in their own
minda. The years speed BY 50 rapidly shaS
We can not afford to lose our dear girls b.
fore we must; and they can not aRord -
lose . mothers companionship and train.
ing during the critical years Of early girl.
hood-As. J. G. Fyssw, - Cos1rgeaas.
slist